---
name: "Terry Gilliam"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/terry-gilliam"
fi1m_id: "terry-gilliam"
imdb_id: "nm0000416"
tmdb_id: 280
wikidata_id: "Q25078"
roles: ["Writer","Director","Actor"]
born: "22 November 1940"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_as: "writer"
average_over: 1
updated: "2026-10-13T21:55:13.373093+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Terry Gilliam

## Identity

Terry Gilliam

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/terry-gilliam
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** terry-gilliam
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000416
- **TMDB ID:** 280
- **Wikidata ID:** Q25078
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Gilliam, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25078, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000416/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/280

Writer and director. Born 22 November 1940 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Writer, Director, Actor
- **Born:** 22 November 1940, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- **Active:** 1969–present
- **Also known as:** Terry C. Gilliamberg, 테리 길리엄, Террі Гілліам, تری گیلیام
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 5 acting, 6 directing, 1 writing
- **Frequently works with:** [Michael Palin](https://film.one/person/michael-palin.md), [Eric Idle](https://film.one/person/eric-idle.md), [Graham Chapman](https://film.one/person/graham-chapman.md), [John Cleese](https://film.one/person/john-cleese.md), [Terry Jones](https://film.one/person/terry-jones.md), [Charles McKeown](https://film.one/person/charles-mckeown.md), [Christopher Plummer](https://film.one/person/christopher-plummer.md), [John Goldstone](https://film.one/person/john-goldstone.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 83 (1), 1970s 88 (2), 1980s 72 (4), 1990s 81 (2), 2000s 65 (1), 2010s 34 (1), 2020s 62 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Gilliam, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25078, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000416/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/280

## Streaming the US now

- **Peacock:** [*Life of Brian*](https://film.one/film/life-of-brian.md) (88), [*Monty Python and the Holy Grail*](https://film.one/film/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail.md) (87), [*Monty Python's Flying Circus*](https://film.one/tv/monty-pythons-flying-circus.md) (83)
- **Apple TV:** [*Time Bandits*](https://film.one/film/time-bandits.md) (80)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus*](https://film.one/film/the-imaginarium-of-doctor-parnassus.md) (65)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Spies Like Us*](https://film.one/film/spies-like-us.md) (47)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Terry Gilliam

> Terry Gilliam builds worlds more crowded than anyone else's and has trouble walking his characters through them. When invention and story pull together, in *Brazil* and *The Fisher King*, he is as funny and as frightening as anyone; when they do not, the films run long.

Something always interrupts. In *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975) it is Gilliam's own animation, cutting across the knights whenever a sketch threatens to settle. In *Brazil* (1985) it is Robert De Niro's rogue heating engineer, turning a repair into a raid. In *The Fisher King* (1991) it is a station full of commuters who stop walking and begin to waltz. Gilliam does not trust a scene to stay one thing for long.

He came to films from the drawing board. He moved to Britain in 1967 and joined *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969) as its animator and one of its writers, and the Python features gave him solid, grubby worlds to work in: his production design on *Life of Brian* (1979) makes the squabbles look as though they belong to a functioning society. He co-directed *Holy Grail* with Terry Jones, went solo with *Jabberwocky* (1977), and through *Time Bandits* (1981), *Brazil*, *The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* (1988), *The Fisher King* and *Twelve Monkeys* (1995) kept building places that feel oppressive before anyone has explained them. Charles McKeown has co-written four of his films; Roger Pratt has shot three.

The worlds hold up. Jeffrey Beecroft's design for *Twelve Monkeys* and Mel Bourne's Manhattan in *The Fisher King* are places an already troubled person could drown in, and Gilliam is more interested in that helplessness than in the rules other directors of fantasy like to explain. He is also better with actors than the machinery suggests. Jonathan Pryce in *Brazil*, Bruce Willis in *Twelve Monkeys*, Jeff Bridges and Mercedes Ruehl in *The Fisher King* are all asked to stay quiet inside loud pictures, and they do. We laughed at the fuss *Brazil* makes over a man having his heating fixed, and then felt uneasy about why it was funny, because Gilliam had made the difficulty of getting a basic need met seem entirely plausible. He has said the film "was supposed to be a film about the world we were living in in the Eighties, but I just took things a little bit further."

The fault is that his appetite for invention is greater than his interest in moving the story on. *Brazil* runs 143 minutes and repeats effects we have already understood; Julian Doyle's editing makes the comedy frantic while whole passages barely move. Pratt's restless camera in *Twelve Monkeys* suits Cole's confusion and makes it hard to concentrate on Willis. *The Fisher King* finds another complication after a scene has made its point, and its humour, fear and tenderness arrive so close together that there is no time to recover between them. The animator's impatience, the thing that keeps *Holy Grail* moving, deserts him whenever he is fond of a joke.

The films since have arrived less often and with more trouble behind them, and *The Man Who Killed Don Quixote* (2018) took decades to reach a screen at all. Start with *Holy Grail*, which at 91 minutes proves he can stop, and then *Brazil*, which at 143 proves he would rather not.

## Biography

Terry Gilliam is an American-born British film director, screenwriter, animator and actor. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he studied at Occidental College in Los Angeles before moving to New York to work on the humour magazine Help! He relocated to London in 1967 and began creating animations for British television series including Do Not Adjust Your Set.

Gilliam joined the Monty Python comedy troupe and contributed animations and occasional performances to their television series Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974) and subsequent films. He co-directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) with Terry Jones and went on to direct feature films including Jabberwocky (1977), Time Bandits (1981), Brazil (1985), The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), The Fisher King (1991), Twelve Monkeys (1995) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998). He received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2009.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Performed in (5)

- *Absolutely Anything* (2015), Fi1m 34, as Nasty Alien (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/absolutely-anything.md)
- *Spies Like Us* (1985), Fi1m 47, as Dr. Imhaus — [page](https://film.one/film/spies-like-us.md)
- *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983), Fi1m 76, as Various Roles — [page](https://film.one/film/monty-pythons-the-meaning-of-life.md)
- *Life of Brian* (1979), Fi1m 88, as Man Even Further Forward / Revolutionary / Jailer / Blood and Thunder Prophet / Frank / Audience Member / Crucifee — [page](https://film.one/film/life-of-brian.md)
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969), Fi1m 83, as Various — [page](https://film.one/tv/monty-pythons-flying-circus.md)

### Directed (6)

- *The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus* (2009), Fi1m 65, Director, Producer, Art Direction, Screenplay — [page](https://film.one/film/the-imaginarium-of-doctor-parnassus.md)
- *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), Fi1m 82, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/twelve-monkeys.md)
- *The Fisher King* (1991), Fi1m 80, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/the-fisher-king.md)
- *Brazil* (1985), Fi1m 83, as Smoking Man (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/brazil.md)
- *Time Bandits* (1981), Fi1m 80, Writer, Director, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/time-bandits.md)
- *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975), Fi1m 87, as Patsy / Green Knight / Old Man from Scene 24 (Bridgekeeper) / Sir Bors / Animator / Gorilla Hand — [page](https://film.one/film/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail.md)

### Wrote (1) — the average rests on these

- *Time Bandits* (2024), Fi1m 62, Characters — [page](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md)

## Complete filmography (68)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The MAD World of Harvey Kurtzman* (2026), Executive Producer
- *Short cuts : L'Armée des 12 singes de Terry Gilliam* (2026), Original Film Writer
- *Time Bandits* (2024), series, Characters — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md)
- *Bye Bye Morons* (2020), as Le chasseur publicité
- *Happy Birthday* (2019), Art Designer
- *The Man Who Killed Don Quixote* (2018), as Giant #2 (Voice) · Director, Screenplay
- *Benvenuto Cellini* (2018), Stage Director
- *I REC U* (2015), as Dr. Therieux
- *Absolutely Anything* (2015), as Nasty Alien (voice) — Fi1m 34, [page](https://film.one/film/absolutely-anything.md)
- *Jupiter Ascending* (2015), as Seal and Signet Minister
- *Benvenuto Cellini* (2015), Stage Director
- *Monty Python Live (Mostly)* (2014), Writer
- *The Zero Theorem* (2013), Director
- *9 Month Stretch* (2013), as Charlie Meatson
- *A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman* (2012), as Various (voice)
- *The Monster of Nix* (2011), as The Ranger (Voice)
- *The Wholly Family* (2011), Director, Writer
- *The Legend of Hallowdega* (2010), as Senior Citizen in Photo (uncredited) · Director
- *Arcade Fire: UNSTAGED* (2010), Director
- *Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall* (2010), Actor
- *Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)* (2010), as Not an Individual / Mexican / Mountie
- *The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus* (2009), Screenplay, Director, Producer, Art Direction — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/the-imaginarium-of-doctor-parnassus.md)
- *Life Of Brian Screenplay* (2008), as Man Even Further Forward, Revolutionary, Jailer · Screenplay
- *Locked Out* (2006), as Le faux bébé
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Roles (archive footage)
- *Monty Python's Personal Best* (2006), series, Creator
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *Le court des grands* (2005), Director
- *Tideland* (2005), Screenplay, Director
- *The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes* (2005), Executive Producer
- *The Brothers Grimm* (2005), Director
- *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas* (1998), Director, Screenplay
- *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), Director — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/twelve-monkeys.md)
- *The Last Machine* (1995), series, Actor
- *The Fisher King* (1991), Director — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-fisher-king.md)
- *Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python* (1989), Writer
- *The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* (1988), as Irritating Singer Inside Fish (uncredited) · Screenplay, Director
- *Cinématon n°601 : Terry Gilliam* (1986), Actor
- *Omnibus Presents Comic Relief* (1986), series, Actor
- *Spies Like Us* (1985), as Dr. Imhaus — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/spies-like-us.md)
- *Brazil* (1985), as Smoking Man (uncredited) · Director, Screenplay — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/brazil.md)
- *Friday People* (1985), series, Actor
- *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983), as Various Roles · Screenplay — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/monty-pythons-the-meaning-of-life.md)
- *The Crimson Permanent Assurance* (1983), as Window Cleaner (uncredited) · Director, Screenplay
- *Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl* (1982), as Various Roles · Writer
- *Time Bandits* (1981), Writer, Director, Producer — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/time-bandits.md)
- *Storytime* (1979), Narrator, Animation, Director
- *Life of Brian* (1979), as Man Even Further Forward / Revolutionary / Jailer / Blood and Thunder Prophet / Frank / Audience Member / Crucifee · Screenplay, Production Design, Animation — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/life-of-brian.md)
- *Cinématon* (1978), as N°601
- *Jabberwocky* (1977), as Man with Rock · Director, Screenplay
- *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975), Patsy / Green Knight / Old Man from Scene 24 (Bridgekeeper) / Sir Bors / Animator / Gorilla Hand, Writer, Director — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail.md)
- *The Do-It-Yourself Film Animation Show* (1974), series, as Terry Gilliam
- *Miracle of Flight* (1974), as Voice · Animation, Director, Producer, Writer
- *The Philosophers' Football Match* (1972), as I. Kant
- *Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus* (1972), series, as Various Characters
- *And Now for Something Completely Different* (1971), Screenplay
- *Euroshow '71: May Day Special* (1971), as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969), series, as Various · Writer — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/monty-pythons-flying-circus.md)
- *We Have Ways Of Making You Laugh* (1968), series, as Live Cartoonist
- *Do Not Adjust Your Set* (1967), series, Actor
- *Omnibus* (1967), series, Actor
- *Monty Python: Live at Aspen*, series, Creator
- *Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python*, Writer
- *TITOLI DI CODA - VIDEODROME*, as Terry Gilliam

## Gallery

- ![Terry Gilliam as Patsy in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)](https://film.one/media/title/5654/still-37719d5d9575.jpg) Terry Gilliam as Patsy in *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975) — Image via TMDB
- ![Terry Gilliam](https://film.one/media/person/60078/gallery-25a14db883c7.jpg) Terry Gilliam — Image via TMDB
- ![Terry Gilliam](https://film.one/media/person/60078/gallery-461ae4005f96.jpg) Terry Gilliam — Image via TMDB
- ![Terry Gilliam](https://film.one/media/person/60078/gallery-be54e0860716.jpg) Terry Gilliam — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1986: Best Writing, Original Screenplay (nominated), for *Brazil*

### Other awards — 6 won

- Winsor McCay Award 2012: Winsor McCay Award (won)
- European Film Award for Best Short Film 2011: European Film Award for Best Short Film (won), for *The Wholly Family*
- Inkpot Award 2009: Inkpot Award (won)
- Annual award ACFK 2004: Annual award ACFK (won)
- European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award 2001: European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award (won)
- Time Machine Award 2000: Time Machine Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/terry-gilliam